Sport protective headgear

ABSTRACT

A sport protective headgear comprising a main section that is to be placed on the occiput of a head from which extends a parietal section that is to be placed against the parietal of a head. Also, integrally connected to the main section is a right side section that is to be placed against the right side of a head and a left side section that is to be located against the left side of a head. Straps secured to the left and right sections hold the main section on the occiput. The straps can be a head strap or a goggle strap. The headgear is designed to absorb shock experienced by a wearer falling during the sport.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of this invention relates generally to goggle retentionand protective headgear for athletics and more particularly relates to asport protective headgear that is designed primarily to be used bysnowboarders and skiers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Participants in many sports use protective headgear. Footballplayers have long worn helmets to protect themselves from blows to thehead. Hockey players also wear helmets for the same reason. Bicyclistsare now wearing helmets.

[0003] A relatively new sport is snowboarding which is performed on the“slopes” along with skiers. Snowboarders and skiers are especiallysusceptible to accidents. For the most part, these accidents involvefalling. The United States Consumer Products Commission has concludedthat helmet use by skiers and snowboarders could prevent or reduce theseverity of forty-four percent of head injuries to adults andfifty-three percent of head injuries to children. The using of headprotection by snowboarders and skiers could prevent several deaths eachyear. In at least one country, a national study found that head injuriesamongst skiers wearing helmets were fifty percent lower than for skiersnot wearing helmets.

[0004] In the past few years, more and more snowboarders and skiers arestarting to wear helmets. The increase of helmet usage is great news.However, there are still a substantial number of people who refuse towear helmets. Some snowboarders and skiers feel that helmets are big,heavy, bulky and ridiculous looking. A terminology “mushroom heads” isbeing applied to a user of a helmet. Also, the added weight of thehelmet throws off the rider's center of gravity. Helmets are hot andsweaty. Many times, a skier or snowboarder can't even use goggles with ahelmet because of the heat that is generated by the helmet which causesfogging up of the goggles. Many times, it is impractical to use a helmetwith goggles because it is difficult to get the goggles to fit inconjunction with the helmet. There is a need to construct a light weightbut yet very protective form of headgear that can be used by a skier andsnowboarder that looks attractive and can be purchased at a reasonablecost.

[0005] The primary areas of head injury in conjunction with skiers andsnowboarders are the back of a head and the sides of a head. Therefore,it is the intention of the protective headgear of the present inventionto provide for protection to only these areas of the head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an objective of this invention to provide a protectiveheadgear that is maintained in position on a user's head during thesport, the headgear having a configuration that exposes a major portionof the crown of the user's head for ventilation to allow dissipation ofheat generated during participation in a sport.

[0007] It is a further objective of this invention to provide aprotective headgear that is maintained in position on a user's head byone or more straps, the straps providing tension to secure the headgearon the head of the user. The protective headgear includes side portionspositioned behind the ears, the side portions having sufficientthickness to reduce strap pressure of the ears of the user.

[0008] It is a still further objective of this invention to provide aheadgear that is light weight, comfortable and effective to protect thehead of the user from injuries caused by impact of the back of the headagainst the blow hard surface from a fall in a sport.

[0009] This invention is a sport protective headgear for a humancomprising a occiput section and a parietal section. The occiput sectionis formed of a hard rigid shell mounted on a shock absorbing layer forplacement against the occiput of a head. The parietal section isconnected to the hard rigid shell of said main section, said parietalsection being elongated and positioned for placement against theparietal of the head. The headgear includes a right side sectionconnected to the main section and extending from a right side edge ofsaid occiput section, said right side section being positioned forplacement against the right side of the head behind the ear. Theheadgear also includes a left side section connected to the occiputsection and extending from a left side edge of the occiput section, theleft side section being positioned for placement against a left side ofthe head. Straps are secured to the right side and left side sectionsfor securing the headgear in position on the occiput of the head.

[0010] The right side section can be a substantial mirror image of saidleft side section.

[0011] The parietal section is sized to cover less than 50 percent andpreferably less than 30 percent of the crown of the head when theheadgear is positioned on the head, thereby leaving a large area of thecrown exposed for ventilation, that is, leaving a respective minimum ofat least 50 percent and 70 percent of the crown exposed.

[0012] In one embodiment, the straps are attached to a goggle, wherebywhen the headgear and goggles are positioned securely on the head, thestraps simultaneously maintain tension on the straps to secure theheadgear on the occiput of the head while securing the goggle on thehead. The head pressure also distributes strap pressure over theocciput, decreasing strap pressure discomfort. The left side section canhave a left portion positioned for placement behind the left ear, andthe right side section can have right portion positioned for placementbehind the right ear, the left and right portions each having thicknesssufficient to reduce strap pressure on the ears.

[0013] In other embodiments of the sport protective headgear, theocciput section can include at least one ventilation hole; the shockabsorbing layer can be removable from said hard rigid shell in order tofacilitate cleaning and replacement; and the shock absorbing layer caninclude at least one gel pad.

[0014] In a still further embodiment of the sport protective headgear ofthis invention, the parietal section is elongated and flexible with aninherent springiness to permit deflecting of said parietal section whenthe headgear is being positioned on a head of a human user and tomaintain a controlled pressure of the parietal section against the head.

[0015] In one embodiment of the sport protective headgear of thisinvention, the right side section is integral to said shock absorbinglayer, and the left side section is integral to the shock absorbinglayer. The right side section and the left side sections can include gelpads.

[0016] In a still further embodiment of the sport protective headgear, ashock absorbing plate is mounted on said hard rigid shell exterior ofsaid hard rigid shell, said shock absorbing plate being designed toabsorb shock. An additional layer of shock absorbing material can belocated between the shock absorbing plate and said hard rigid shell. Theshock absorbing plate can be hingedly connected to said rigid shell topermit disengagement of a portion of said plate relative to permitcapture or removal of a goggle strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the first embodiment of sportprotective headgear of the present invention showing such installed on auser's head;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a back view of the first embodiment of sport protectiveheadgear of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a front view of the first embodiment of sport protectiveheadgear of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the first embodiment of sportprotective headgear of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of sportprotective headgear of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the firstembodiment of sport protective headgear of the present invention takenalong line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of sport protectiveheadgear of the present invention showing such installed on the head ofa user and with a conventional goggles being also mounted on the head ofthe user and connected to the headgear;

[0024]FIG. 8 is a side view similar to FIG. 7 but showing 5 only thesecond embodiment of sport protective headgear of the present inventionvoid of the goggles;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a right side/rear direction isometric view of the secondembodiment of sport protective headgear of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 10 is a rear view of the second embodiment of sportprotective headgear of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 11 is a front view of the second embodiment of sportprotective headgear of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the second embodiment of 15 sportprotective headgear of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the second embodiment of sportprotective headgear of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the secondembodiment of sport protective headgear of the present invention takenalong line 14-14 of FIG. 10; and

[0031]FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the sport protective headgearshown in FIGS. 7-13, the only difference being the use of a single straprather than straps and goggle to secure the headgear in place on auser's head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] For a better understanding of the present invention reference isto be made to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to the precise arrangement shown in thedrawings.

[0033] Referring particularly to FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings, there isshown the first embodiment 20 of sport protective headgear of thepresent invention. Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the sportprotective headgear 20 is shown mounted on the head 22 of a human. Thefirst embodiment 20 includes goggles 24. The goggles 24 are to be placedover the eyes of the human. Soft pad 26 of the goggles 24 is to abutdirectly against the face of the human 22 about the eyes. The goggles 26include a double pane see-through lens 28.

[0034] Mounted on the right side of the goggles 24 is a buckle bar 30. Asimilar buckle bar 32 is mounted on the left side of the goggles 24.Both the buckle bars 30 and 32 have an elongated slot, such as elongatedslot 34 shown in buckle bar 32. A strap 36 is conducted through theelongated slot 34. A similar strap 38 is conducted through the elongatedslot 34 (not shown) of the buckle bar 30. The inner end of the strap 30is sewn on itself forming a loop. The inner end of the strap 38 is alsosewn upon itself also forming a loop. The outer end of the strap 36 isconducted through slot opening 40 formed within left side extension 42of a rigid base frame 44. In a similar manner, the free outer end of thestrap 38 is conducted through a slot opening 46 formed within the rightside extension 48 of the base frame 44. The outer free end of the strap36 is connected to a buckle frame 50. The buckle frame 50 permitsadjustment of the length of the strap 36 so as to tighten or loosen thegoggles 24 on the head 22 of the human. Similarly, the outer free end ofthe strap 38 is connected to a buckle frame 52 to again provideadjustment of the goggles 24.

[0035] The left side extension 42 and the right side extension 48 arejoined at the back of the base frame 44. Extending from the back of thebase frame in an upward direction is a rigid parietal extension 54.Parietal extension 54 has an inner surface upon which is mountedoval-shaped resilient pads 56 and 58 and a portion of an inner liner 60which is pretty much mounted across almost the entire surface of thebase frame 44. Fixedly mounted on the inner surface base frame 44 anddirectly adjacent the inner liner 60 are a pair of resilient pads 62 and64. There may also be mounted gel pads in conjunction with the backcover 72, left side extension 42 and right side extension 48. A gel padis to be mounted interiorly of the left side cover 66, right side cover67 and back cover 72. The purpose of the gel pads is to absorb shockupon the first embodiment 20 encountering a hard structure, such as theground when falling. Directly adjacent the left side cover 66 is aventilation opening 68. Mounted across opening 68 would normally be someform of a netting 70. There will be a similar ventilation opening andnetting formed within the right side extension 48, which is not shown.

[0036] Mounted across the back of the first embodiment 20 is 25 the backcover 72. The back cover 72 will extend up across the exterior surfaceof the parietal extension 54. The back cover 72 includes an elongatedventilation opening 74 which again will normally be closed by a netting76. It is to be understood that the netting 76, as well as netting 70,will easily permit the passage of air therethrough for purposes ofventilation. The ventilation openings that are provided with the firstembodiment 20 are to help keep the head 22 of the wearer cool. It is tobe noted that the inner liner 60 will extend and pretty much cover theinside surface of the left side extension 42 and the right sideextension 48. It is also to be understood that the inner liner 60 willbe adhesively secured to the back area, the inside surface of theparietal extension 54, the inside surface of the left side extension 42and the inside surface of the right side extension 48.

[0037] The back cover 72 has a left side ventilation opening 78 and aright side ventilation opening 80. The left side ventilation opening 78includes a section of netting 82. A similar section of netting 84 coversthe right side ventilation opening 80. The parietal extension 54, theleft side extension 42 and the right side extension 48 as well as theback portion will normally be constructed of a shock absorbing material.A slightly deflectable foam, rubber or plastic material will bepreferred. The back cover 72 will be adhesively mounted on the exteriorsurface of the structure that makes up the left side extension 42, theright side extension 48 and parietal extension 54. The back cover 72will normally be constructed of a hard plastic material. In between theinner surface of the back cover 72 and the back of the first embodiment20 is a shock absorbing pad 86. Pad 86 normally will be constructed of alayer of fabric or rubber material. Pad 86 is to extend to be inalignment with neck edge 88.

[0038] The back of the first embodiment 20 that is connected to the leftside extension 42, the right side extension 48 and the parietal section44 also includes left side neck extension 90 and right side neckextension 92. The neck extensions 90 and 92 will be located directlyadjacent the neck of the wearer and function to retain the headgear inplace. The left side neck extension 90 includes a ventilation opening94. Similarly, the right side neck extension 92 includes a ventilationopening 96. The openings 94 and 96 are basically mirror images of eachother and about the same size. The same is also true regarding openings78 and 80 which are also mirror images and are about the same size.Included within opening 94 is netting 98. A similar netting 100 isincluded within the opening 96.

[0039] The common areas of a user's head that typically encounters astriking force are the back of the head 22 and the right and left sidesof the head 22. In the first embodiment 20 of this invention, the backcover 72 combined with the pad 86 and the main supporting structure onwhich it is mounted provides protection to the back of the head 22. Theright side of the head is provided protection by left side cover 66 andright side cover 67. The parietal, or top of the head, is providedprotection by the parietal extension 54.

[0040] The inner layer 60 includes a series of specially configuredcutouts 102, 104, 106 and 108. These cutouts are mainly for purposes ofventilation and also to provide a high tech attractive appearance.

[0041] It can be appreciated from the above description that theheadgear of this invention is light weight, comfortable and effective toprotect the head of the user from injuries caused by impact of the backof the head against the a hard surface from a fall in a sport. Theheadgear comprises an occiput section and a parietal section. Theocciput section is formed of a hard rigid shell 72 mounted on a shockabsorbing layer for placement against the occiput of a head. Theparietal section 54 is connected to the hard rigid shell 72 of said mainsection, said parietal section being elongated and positioned forplacement against the parietal of the head. The headgear includes aright side section 48 connected to the main section 72 and extendingfrom a right side edge of said occiput section, said right side sectionbeing positioned for placement against the right side of the head behindthe ear. The headgear also includes a left side section 42 connected tothe occiput section 72 and extending from a left side edge of saidocciput section, the left side section being positioned for placementagainst a left side of the head. Straps 36 and 38 are secured to therespective right side and left side sections 42 and 48 for securing theheadgear in position on the occiput of the head.

[0042] The right side section can be a substantial mirror image of saidleft side section.

[0043] The protective headgear of this invention has a configurationthat exposes a major portion of the crown of the user's head forventilation to allow dissipation of heat generated during participationin a sport. The parietal section 54 and the side extensions 42 and 48are sized to cover less than 50 percent and preferably less than 30percent of the crown of the head when the headgear is positioned on thehead, thereby leaving a large area of the crown exposed for ventilation,that is, a respective minimum of at least 50 and 70 percent of the crownexposed.

[0044] The protective headgear can be maintained in position on a user'shead by straps 36 and 38, the straps providing tension to secure theheadgear on the head of the user. The protective headgear can includeprotective side portions positioned behind the ears, the side portionshaving sufficient thickness to reduce strap pressure of the ears of theuser. In one embodiment, the straps are attached to a goggle, wherebywhen the headgear and goggles are positioned on the head, the strapssimultaneously maintain tension on the straps to secure the headgear onthe occiput of the head while securing the goggle on the head. One endof the pad 60 provides a left pad portion positioned for placementbehind the left ear, and the other end provides a right pad portionpositioned for placement behind the right ear, the left and rightportions each having thickness sufficient to reduce strap pressure onthe ears. The distribution of the strap pressure over the larger area ofthe occiput decreases strap pressure discomfort while increasing thesecurity of the strap retention on the head.

[0045] In other embodiments of the sport protective headgear, theocciput section can include at least one ventilation hole 80; the shockabsorbing layer 60 can be removable from said hard rigid shell in orderto facilitate cleaning and replacement; and the shock absorbing layercan include at least one gel pad.

[0046] In a still further embodiment of the sport protective headgear ofthis invention, the parietal section is elongated and flexible with aninherent springiness to permit deflecting of said parietal section whenthe headgear is being positioned on a head of a human user and tomaintain a controlled pressure of the parietal section against the head.

[0047] In one embodiment of the sport protective headgear of thisinvention, the right side section is integral to said shock absorbinglayer, and the left side section is integral to said shock absorbinglayer. The right side section and the left side sections can include gelpads.

[0048] Referring particularly to FIGS. 7-14 of the drawings, there isshown the second embodiment 110 of sport protective headgear of thisinvention which is shown mounted on head 112 of a user. The secondembodiment 110 is formed of a main frame member 114 which again will beconstructed of a somewhat resilient shock absorbing material, usuallyrubber or plastic. The main frame member 114 includes a parietalextension 116, a right side extension 118, a left side extension 120, aright side neck extension 122 and a left side neck extension 124. Theinner surface of the main frame member 114 has fixedly mounted thereon aseries of resilient pads 126, 128, 130, 132, 133 and inner liner 134.The inner liner 134 extends to cover substantially most of the parietalextension 116, the right side extension 118, and the left side extension120 as well as a portion of the right side neck extension 122 and theLeft side neck extension 124. It is to be understood that the adhesiveliner 134 as well as resilient pads (possibly constructed of neoprene)126, 128, 130, 132, 133 and inner liner 134 are adhesively secured tothe main frame member 114. It is also to be noted that the inner liner134 is actually composed of two separate inner liner members whichinclude a central cut-out area 136.

[0049] The right side neck extension 122 includes a ventilation opening138 which is covered by a netting 140. The left side neck extension 124includes a ventilation opening 142 which is covered by a netting 144,Mounted on the exterior surface of the main frame member 114 is a fabricliner 146. Mounted about the back section of the main frame member 114and against the fabric liner 146 is a shock absorbing pad 148 (about0.046 inches thick). The pad 148 is helped to be retained in place by apair of attaching straps 150 which is mounted over the peripheral edgeof the main frame member 114. One of the attaching straps 150 will be onone side of the parietal extension 116 and the other strap 150 islocated on the opposite side of the parietal extension 116. The innerliner 134 is to include a series of cut-outs 152, 154, 156 and 158 withthese cut-outs being intended to increase flow of air for ventilationpurposes.

[0050] The lower edge of the pad 148 is wrapped around the lower edge ofthe main frame member 114 and connects with the resilient pad 132.Mounted on the exterior surface of the pad 148 is a gel pad 149. Outsideof gel pad 149 is a rigid plastic shell 160. The rigid plastic shell 160is to be fixedly secured to the main frame member 114. However, theshell 160 does provide a slight amount of flexibility relative to themain frame member 114 so that upon the shell 160 encountering a shockingforce that the shell 160 will function to distribute that force acrossits entire area for that force to then be absorbed by the gel pad 149,shock absorbing pad 148, fabric liner 146 and main frame member 114.Mounted on the exterior surface of the shell 160 are grips 162 and 164.

[0051] The grips 162 and 164 comprise protrusions which help to retainin place a goggle strap 166 which is connected to goggles 168 which willnormally be worn in conjunction with the second embodiment 110 of thisinvention. The goggle strap 166 is also 5 retained in place by a backplate 170 which is hingedly mounted by hinge 172 to the shell 160. Theback plate 170 is only capable of a limited amount of the hingingmovement in order to permit the goggle strap 166 to be inserted betweenthe back plate 170 and the shell 160. When the goggle strap 166 is soinserted, securement straps 174 which are fixedly secured to the shell160 are then to be fastened to the back plate 170.

[0052] The parietal extension 116 can have a pair of legs 176 and 177mounted thereon. The parietal section 176 is integral with the shell160. The parietal section 176 can have an elongated center slot 178. Thecenter slot 178 will normally be covered by a netting 180. Legs 176 and177 are secured by adhesive pads 179 to parietal extension 116. Shell160 is fixed by adhesive pads 161 to fabric liner 146. Alternatively,the parietal extension 116 can be a single component having theflexibility required for its functions.

[0053] The right side extension 118 has mounted thereon an ear 20 plate182. A similar ear plate 184 is mounted on the left side extension 120.The ear plate 182 has hingedly mounted thereon, by means of hinge strap186, a right side shock plate 188. The shock plate 188 is capable ofpivotable movement at least ninety degrees or more relative to the earplate 182. When in juxtaposition with the ear plate 182, there isutilized a disengageable fastener assembly 190 which retains the shockplate 188 in position relative to the ear plate 182, Similarly; hingedlymounted on the ear plate 184 a hinge strap 192 is a shock plate 194. Theshock plate 194 is again pivotable by the hinge strap 192 to a positionsimilar to how the shock plate 188 is pivotable. A fastener 196 is to bedisengageably connected but is to function to secure the shock plate 194to the ear plate 184 when the shock plate 192 is in juxtaposition withthe ear plate 184. The shock plates 188 and 194 are to be pivotedoutwardly away from their respective ear plates 188 and 184 in order toinstall in position the goggle strap 166. When the goggle strap 166 islocated between the shock plate 188 and the ear plate 182 and the shockplate 194 and the ear plate 184, the shock plates 188 and 194 arereinstalled in position reengaging their respective fasteners 190 and196.

[0054] It is the function of the shock plates 188 and 194 to absorb anddistribute shock if impacted by a force to protect the sides of the head112 of the wearer. In fact, the plates 188, 194 and 170 are located inareas where it is common that shock is encountered by the head 112 inorder to distribute any shock and hopefully minimize any injury to thehead 112. There may be included gel pads (not shown) in conjunction withthe ear plates 184 and 188 (interiorly thereof).

[0055] It can be appreciated from the above description that thealternative embodiment of the headgear of this invention is also lightweight, comfortable and effective to protect the head of the user frominjuries caused by impact of the back of the head against a hard surfacefrom a fall in a sport. The headgear shown in FIGS. 7-14 comprises aocciput section and a parietal section. The occiput section is formed ofa hard rigid shell 160 mounted on a shock absorbing layer for placementagainst the occiput of a head. The parietal section 116 is connected tothe hard rigid shell 160 of said main section, said parietal sectionbeing elongated and positioned for placement against the parietal of thehead. The headgear includes a right side section 118 connected to theocciput section 160 and extending from a right side edge of the occiputsection, the right side section being positioned for placement againstthe right side of the head behind the ear. The headgear also includes aleft side section 120 connected to the occiput section 160 and extendingfrom a left side edge of the occiput section, the left side sectionbeing positioned for placement against a left side of the head. Strap166 is secured to the respective right side and left side sections 118and 120 for securing the headgear in position on the occiput of thehead.

[0056] The right side section of this embodiment can be a substantialmirror image of said left side section.

[0057] The protective headgear if this invention has a configurationthat exposes a major portion of the crown of the user's head forventilation to allow dissipation of heat generated during participationin a sport. The parietal section 116 and the side extensions 118 and 120are sized to cover less than 50 percent and preferably less than 30percent of the crown of the head when the headgear is positioned on thehead, thereby leaving a corresponding large area of the crown exposedfor ventilation, that is, a respective minimum of at least 50 and 70percent of the crown exposed.

[0058] The protective headgear can be maintained in position on a user'shead by a single strap 166, the strap providing tension to secure theheadgear on the head of the user. The protective headgear can includeprotective side portions 134 positioned behind the ears, the sideportions having sufficient thickness to reduce strap pressure of theears of the user. In this embodiment, the ends of the strap 166 areattached to a goggle, whereby when the headgear and goggles arepositioned on the head, the straps simultaneously maintain tension onthe straps to secure the headgear on the occiput of the head whilesecuring the goggle on the head.

[0059]FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the sport protective headgear ofthe present invention combined with a strap to secure the headgear inplace on a user's head. In this embodiment, the protective headgear isidentical to the headgear described above with respect to FIGS. 7-14,the only difference being the use of a head strap 200 rather than thestrap 166 and goggles 168 shown in FIG. 7.

[0060] The headgear of this invention may include electronics such astelecommunication equipment, storage devices and music listeningdevices.

The invention claimed is:
 1. Sport protective headgear for a humancomprising: a occiput section, said occiput section being formed of ahard rigid shell mounted on a shock absorbing layer for placementagainst the occiput of a head; a parietal section integrally connectedto said hard rigid shell of said main section, said parietal sectionbeing elongated and positioned for placement against the parietal of thehead; a right side section connected to said main section and extendingfrom a right side edge of said occiput section, said right side sectionbeing positioned for placement against the right side of the head; aleft side section connected to said occiput section and extending from aleft side edge of said occiput section, said left side section beingpositioned for placement against a left side of the head; and strapssecured to the right side and left side sections for securing theheadgear in position on the occiput of the head; wherein the parietalsection is sized to cover less than 50 percent of the crown of the headwhen the headgear is positioned on the head, thereby leaving a largearea of the crown exposed for ventilation.
 2. The sport protectiveheadgear of claim 1 wherein the parietal section is sized to cover lessthan 30 percent of the crown of the head.
 3. The sport-protectiveheadgear of claim 1 wherein the straps are attached to a goggle, wherebywhen the headgear and goggles are positioned on the head, the strapssimultaneously maintain tension on the straps to secure the headgear onthe occiput of the head while securing the goggle on the head.
 4. Thesport protective headgear of claim 2 wherein the left side section has aleft pad portion positioned for placement behind the left ear, the rightside section has a right pad portion positioned for placement behind theright ear, and the left and right pad portions each have a thicknesssufficient to reduce strap pressure on the ears.
 5. The sport protectiveheadgear of claim 1 wherein said occiput section includes at least oneventilation hole.
 6. The sport protective headgear of claim 1 whereinsaid shock absorbing layer is removable from said hard rigid shell inorder to facilitate cleaning and replacement.
 7. The sport protectiveheadgear of claim 1 wherein said shock absorbing layer includes at leastone gel pad.
 8. The sport protective headgear of claim 1 wherein saidparietal section is elongated and flexible with an inherent springinessto permit deflecting of said parietal section when the headgear is beingpositioned on a head of a human user and to enable the pariental sectionto apply a slight force against the head to assist in retaining saidprotective headgear in position on the head during use.
 9. The sportprotective headgear of claim 1 wherein said right side section isintegral to said shock absorbing layer and said left side section isintegral to said shock absorbing layer.
 10. The sport protectiveheadgear of claim 1 wherein said right side section includes a gel padand said left side section includes a gel pad.
 11. The sport protectiveheadgear of claim 1 wherein said right side section is a substantialmirror image of said left side section.
 12. The sport protectiveheadgear of claim 1 wherein a shock absorbing plate is mounted on saidhard rigid shell exterior of said hard rigid shell, said shock absorbingplate being designed to absorb shock.
 13. The sport protective headgearas defined in claim 12 wherein an additional layer of shock absorbingmaterial is located between said shock absorbing plate and said hardrigid shell.
 14. The sport protective headgear as defined in claim 12wherein the straps are the ends of a goggle strap, and said shockabsorbing plate is hingedly connected to said rigid shell to permitdisengagement of a portion of said plate relative to permit capture orremoval of the goggle strap.
 15. The sport protective headgear asdefined in claim 12 wherein the straps are a single head strap.